Richardson Arrives In N.M. From Trip To Sudan

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) – Governor Richardson has returned to New Mexico after a four-day private diplomatic mission to Sudan.

He arrived this morning at Albuquerque’s international airport. Richardson tried to persuade Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to change his mind and allow a United Nations peacekeeping force into that country’s war-torn Darfur region.

Al-Bashir rebuffed Richardson’s personal pleas. But Richardson claimed accomplishment in getting a cease-fire.

He and al-Bashir said both sides in the fight agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities while they work toward lasting peace.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-01-11-07 0905EST